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CITY DESK
Despite Inflation, City Leaders Are Optimistic
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FOR 37 YEARS, THE NATIONAL LEAGUE OF Cities (NLC) has released an annual financial conditions report for the nation’s cities. After financial challenges from the COVID-19 pandemic and 2022 inflation trends, some may expect the outlook for 2023 to be a bit grim. But in the NLC’s report, which includes information from a survey of local financial officers across the country, they found that nine out of 10 financial officers feel optimistic about their ability to meet fiscal needs in the current fiscal year.
NLC partially attributes this optimism to the key funds cities received through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) and Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), both of which were passed in 2021.
“Local governments across the nation have been able to address their most critical community needs, avoiding what could have been years of financial struggle to balance their budgets,” the organization said in a press release.
“This report underscores how crucial federal funds from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) have been to local governments across the nation, ensuring that critical services continued and preventing what would have been years of fiscal struggle,” said NLC CEO and Executive Director Clarence E. Anthony in a statement.
Here are some other key takeaways from this year’s NLC Fiscal Conditions Report: • 2022 marked a strong rebound of revenue sources including income and sales taxes for many cities.
The COVID-19 pandemic affected these sources in 2020 and 2021 when some taxes and fees were waived and many workers were unemployed due to the pandemic’s impact on in-person businesses.
As pandemic-related restrictions were relaxed and the transmission of severe disease decreased, employment numbers increased and taxes and fees that may have been waived were back in effect. • Strong housing market activity also boosted city revenues. The active market has led to significant increases in home values across the country, which then leads to higher property tax revenue. • Inflation and geopolitical factors have led some to worry about an impending recession. This seems to correspond with cities implementing “conservative” 2022 budgets. • Cities are preparing for potential financial headwinds, but remain hopeful in part because of recent successes in securing funds through federal legislation. • There is hope for inflation to subside; action by the
Federal Reserve, including increasing borrowing rates, has led to falling inflation rates.
To learn more and read the full report, visit nlc.org/resource/city-fiscalconditions-2022/
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City Spotlight City Spotlight Odum
As the Georgia Bulldogs charge their way to another College Football Playoff, you’ll find plenty of team spirit in all 537 of Georgia’s cities, but maybe none as unique as what one family farm did in Odum.
For its annual Fall Days celebration, Poppell Farms built its corn maze in the shape of star Georgia quarterback Stetson Bennett. While Bennett grew up in Nahunta and Blackshear, much of his extended family lives in Wayne County, in which Odum sits. Bennett is seen by many in the area as an honorary native son, and their massive Bulldog pride motivated this largerthan-life tribute.
“From a walk-on to a national champion, Stetson Bennett IV is an extraordinary inspiration to all,” said Tanya Poppell, owner of Poppell Farms.
While the season for corn mazes has come to a close, there’s still plenty to do in Odum. Poppell Farm hosts extensive Christmas celebrations, with fresh trees, a live nativity, caroling and visits from Santa Claus himself. History buffs can also take a visit to the Ritch-Carter-Martin House, which is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. The home, built in 1915, features Neoclassical and Georgian architecture and was used as a boarding house for nearly 50 years.
